You Only Live Twice

Rating:
Summary: "Welcome to Japan, Mr. Bond"
Review: I love this film- it is probably one of Sean Connery's greatest in the role of James Bond. His adventures this time include the Russians and Americans in a popular Cold War theme of the 1960's- both believe that the other country is trying to attack them. On the brink of a third World War, Bond is sent on a mission to find out who is behind all of this. Pretending to be dead during an on-the-job trist, Bond is able to spy on his enemies without them knowing who he is. His adventures take him to Japan, where he works closely with Tiger Tanaka and Kissy Suzuki of the Japanese Secret Service.

Ernest Stavro Blofeld- one of Bond's greatest nemeses (and an inspiration for Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies). He is probably one of the creepiest villains of all time, too. Controlling the world takes quite a lot of work- including an underground volcano in which to hide his secret operations. Infiltrating this secret lair is only a part of Bond's job- and he does this seemingly without effort.

True to James Bond format are the chase scenes. Entertaining is the scene in which the thugs chasing Bond and Kissy Suzuki are lifted off the ground by a large magnet and dropped into Tokyo Bay. Improbable? Yes, but highly efficient, too.

Rating:
Summary: Good But Lacking A Little Bit Of The Bond Feeling
Review: Sean Connery Bond films are great, and You Only Live Twice, is no excpetion. This movie takes a big step in the Bond Series, with the first meeting of Bond and Blofeld. This was what the begginging of the series was leading to and it was a great confrontation. Halloween fans will be happy to know that Donald Plecense (sorry I don't know how to spell his name) plays the infamous Blofeld.

But isn't this film missing a little somthing. Bond is never behind the wheel of a car, and in the middle of the movie he goes under cover and we get aside stroy of his life in a small simple village. This part does not seem very Bond. I think it has to do with the man who wrote the screenplay. Famous author Roald Dahl, writter of Charlie and the Chocalte Factory, and Matilda, took a stab at a serious venture and in some ways messed with things that should not have been messed with.

But don't get me wrong I still like this movie a lot, and the movie has a lot of fun moments, like in the end of the movie Ninjas Vs. armed gunmen, Bond is on the side of the ninjas, who is going to win? Stupid fun like this is what makes this movie great. NUFF SAID.

Rating:
Summary: JAMES BOND TURNING JAPANESE...
Review: I really think so. YOLT, with Connery in bad make-up and bowl cut wig no less, is an enjoyable romp that makes no apologies for not taking itself too seriously...Connery in a kimono further supports that theory. Forget the unbelievable story...you have Nancy Sinatra offering proof she was a singer; Bond getting his "first civilized bath" and Little Nellie. Give me this one. some saki served at the correct temperature and a spicy tuna roll and I'm content in any lifetime.

Rating:
Summary: You Only Quit Twice Mr. Connery
Review: Sean Connery's second to last performance as the legendary spy in which there was an intermission starring George Lazenby in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' before he returned for the final 'Diamonds are Forever.' With a script by Roald Dahl (Willy Wonka; James and the Giant Peach) and under the direction of Lewis Gilbert, Bond is once again face to face with the sinister forces of SPECTER. A fun Bond with the most expensive set design for 1967. A lot of thrills and laughs to make this a pleasant viewing experience.

In this film Bond is out to stop the forces of SPECTER from starting World War III. Space capsules mysteriously disappear and both the US and the Soviets blame each other. Bond goes to Asia to find out the fate of the capsules and their astro/cosmonauts. Bond soon uncovers a sinister plot involving SPECTER and goes undercover to sneak into their mountain base. Will Bond make it in time against the evil Blofeld (Donald Pleasance) and his minions?

True, this Bond doesn't have the best script but the action sequences are fun: especially the grand finale. Donald Pleasance is excellent as the mannered but sociopathic Blofeld. The assassins in this film aren't terribly memorable nor are the Bond girls. Still, Connery's performance as Bond is consistent with the other Connery Bond films.

Rating:
Summary: ..Kill Bond,Now...!!!
Review: That line pretty much sums up You Only Live Twice.As delivered by Donald Plesance as Ernst Stavro Blofeld (and the inspiration to Austin Powers' Dr. Evil)It has menace, but once it's over it seems a bit hollow.
Screenplay written by Willy Wonka author, Roald Dahl(!!!),YOLT starts with the phony demise of 007 in the pre-credits, then takes him to Japan to investigate the disappearence of American and Soviet spacecrafts before both powers declare war.
A bit weaker than the monster combination of Goldfinger/Thunderball,YOLT boast many great moments (the unnessesary arial dogfight with Little Nelly, the finale in Blofeld's awesome volcanic lair), but one can't help but feel a tinge of disappointment as it seemed made on auto pilot.YOLT does feature the best ever 007 theme song.A haunting melodic ballad sung by Nancy Sinatra.
YOLT was to be the last Sean Connery Bond movie(though he would return in Diamonds Are Forever and Never Say Never Again).It also marked the end of an era in the golden age of 007 movies as the latter films of the 70's and early 80's become more tongue and cheek.It was only 20 years later in The Living Daylights that the ruthless, yet suave Bond of the novels and earlier movies would return.

Rating:
Summary: IAN FLEMINGs Japan and the Devil
Review: This is Ian Fleming's most mysterious and enigmatic James Bond novel. This is a direct follow up to "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." It starts out as a direct secret service story even though Bond is reassigned to the diplomatic section. As it progresses it becomes almost surrealistic as James Bond tracks down his arch nemesis on the island of Kyushu. This is a very well written and researched novel. The Japanese idioms and depictions of locale are exquisite. When the novel moves to Kuro Island and is on the threshold of Dr. Shaterhand's castle lair, Fleming approaches mythical horizons. I found this absorbing, haunting and prophetic novel very difficult to put down once I started reading it. You get addicted early on to such charismatic characters as Tiger Tanaka and the all too brief Dikko Henderson but it is the narrative of this epic tale that beckons the reader. The new retro-paperback cover is alluring.